By G9ija

Security operatives have arrested one Kabiru Abdullahi accused of kidnapping and killing a five-year-old girl in Bauchi State.

A spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) authorities in Bauchi, Garkuwa Adamu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He explained that Abdullahi, 52, was arrested alongside 45-year-old Alhaji Yawale following a report received by the command on April 23 on the abduction of Khadija – the daughter of the former’s neighbour – Abdullahi Yusuf – at Sabon Gari Narabi in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the prime suspect Kabiru Abdullahi kidnapped Khadija in front of her house, took her to a nearby bridge, strangled her and put her in a sack,” Adamu narrated.

“He contacted the father of the victim Abdullahi Yusuf and demanded a ransom. After a series of negotiations, it was agreed that the sum of N150,000 be paid for her release.”

According to the NSCDC official, Yawale collected the sum of N150,000 under a tamarind tree at a nearby bush in Narabi village.

He added that the security operatives, during the arrest, recovered a cash sum of N42,000, fake $200, charms, and different car keys among other exhibits from the suspects.

“Further investigation revealed that Khadija was killed on April 27, 2022, and buried inside the kitchen of the prime suspect.

“A team of investigators went and dug the sack from the ground and took the body to the General Hospital, Toro, where she was certified dead by a medical doctor,” Adamu said.

In another development, he said a suspected case of robbery along Diriko village was reported to the command on April 30.

Operatives of the command, Adamu stated, were mobilised to the scene where they arrested two suspects – Isiya Lawal and Musa Ado.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim, Hamisu Halidu, ‘m’ 18yrs of Tilden Fulani took the suspects on his Bajaj boxer motorcycle to Dinya village and on their way, the suspects attacked the victim with stick and knife with the intention of killing him and to cart away his motorcycle.

“As they were dragging, a good Samaritan came to assist the victim and, in the process, the NSCDC team arrived and arrested the suspects,” he said.